Silk Exotic, 618 Live team up to get strip club into downtown Milw.



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- FOX6 News has learned Silk Exotic is trying again -- and has its sights set on a new spot for a downtown Milwaukee strip club. The real shocker this time isn't the location -- but rather, who Silk wants to team up with.

Silk Exotic now wants to move in to the space currently occupied by the troubled 618 Live club -- also known as the Ladybug Club -- located on N. Water Street.

"It's a place that will attract an upscale clientele, both Milwaukee residents and visitors," Silk Attorney Jeff Scott Olson said.

This news comes on the same day that the Common Council rules to again suspend 618 Live's license.

618's license was suspended on Tuesday, December 17th. This, after a judge lifted the suspension back on December 6th, and said the club could reopen.

"The last six weeks have been very difficult for us. We've been closed and we've been open," 618 Live spokesman Craig Peterson said.

618 Live and Silk believe Silk can help ease some of the financial hardship. The two businesses met at city licensing hearings and decided to team up.

The two have entered into a memorandum of understanding.

"We just need to keep our lines of communications open and keep our options open," Peterson said.

Silk already has a club on Silver Spring, and the city has denied owners a downtown location three times.

They most recently have been looking for a spot across from the BMO Harris Bradley Center.

If that location falls through, Club 618 is waiting.

"Will 618 Live become Silk? There's a lot of hurdles to go over and it's probably a long time away, but it is an option," Peterson said.

The 618 Live location is right now a backup plan for Silk, but if it becomes reality, Silk would still need to get city approval. 618 says it would not be a part of the Silk business in any way.